Jazz Topple Grizzlies

Rudy Gay, SF37 MIN | 6-13 FG | 4-5 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 17 PTS | +1Rudy had a solid game, but seemed to be letting things come to him instead of forcing the issue, as one would expect from the team’s unquestioned best scoring option. I’m not sure if it was a matter of them not running enough plays for him or if Gordon Hayward really is that good of a defender, but it never seemed to feel like he was ready to take over in this game.

Dante Cunningham, F26 MIN | 2-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 4 PTS | -5Dante played pretty well, remaining active on defense and getting out in transition. His help defense still needs some work, as he was late in rotating while Marc was fronting Al Jefferson a few times, but he was putting forth a lot of effort out there.

Marc Gasol, C42 MIN | 9-15 FG | 3-4 FT | 11 REB | 2 AST | 21 PTS | -6Marc did work in this game, shouldering the load on both offense and defense, as he was asked to guard one of the best low-post scorers in the game. He was one of two players that seemed like they were doing all they could to will this team to a victory, albeit falling just short of that.

Tony Allen, SG29 MIN | 6-9 FG | 8-10 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 21 PTS | +5It should come as no surprise that TA was the other player I felt was in “win or die” mode. His recent explosion of efficient scoring is somewhat shocking, but very welcome. He was in classic Tony Allen form, seeming to be everywhere at once. One of two Grizzlies with a positive +/-.

Mike Conley, PG41 MIN | 5-18 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 6 AST | 11 PTS | -6Mike cannot be the one to take the most shots in the game unless he hits over half of them. Looking at his shot chart, almost all of his shots were either in the lane or from the three-point line. He has to finish better at the rim, plain and simple.

Sam Young, SF14 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-2 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 4 PTS | -1A solid game from Sam, and I felt like he should have gotten a little more playing time, only who to take PT from?

Red Coleman

Red started 3 Shades of Blue towards the end of the 2006-07 season, as the fans were hoping to get lucky in the lottery and select Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. (We all know how that played out.) He wanted Grizzlies' fans to have a source of information and commentary equal to what other teams' fans had with the various blogs out there. So began a wild ride that continues even now. From a fan in the cheap seats to an ESPN-sponsored journalist to the proud editor of the best Memphis Grizzlies blog out there.